DWARS Groningen ‘happy’ with election of male mayor

DWARS Groningen views with joy the appointment of Koen Schuiling as mayor of Groningen. After years of fighting for diversity, we as a progressive and international city have finally succeeded in giving representation to the most oppressed group in our city: the white VVD member.

Men are underrepresented as mayors. In 2017, it was found that only 80% of all mayors are men. Elte Hillekens, vice-president of DWARS Groningen, thinks it is important to show solidarity with men. “When there is a group that has been systematically oppressed for ages, you have to stand up for each other. It's nice that as a woman I can use my privileged position as a platform for that.”

Chairman Bram Tánczos is confident that Schuiling can play a key role in offering a voice to other disadvantaged groups such as highly educated entrepreneurs, people in the financial sector and NAM. “I am confident that the new mayor will give a voice to these exploited groups and shake the Groningen political landscape to its foundations.”